Japanese Samurai Swords Buying Guide

When it comes to samurai swords, there is quitebasically 3 different styles to consider, the katana
a bit of terminology for the new collector tosword, the Wakizashi sword and the Tanto
understand. But we want to make it easy forsword. The Japanese Katana Sword is the most
anyone to find a good quality samurai sword thatpopular among collectors and martial arts students
will last a lifetime, no matter if you're looking foralike.
one of the very sought after Paul Chen KatanaThe katana sword was the first and is still the
swords for battle or just a quality sword to hangmost popular of all samurai swords. The blade is
over the mantle.typically 29" long with an overall length around 40"
The first thing to consider for your new samuraiThe Wakizashi sword is the shorter companion
sword is the type and quality of the blade. Ifblade of the katana sword. We first see the
you're looking for a you want to be sure andWakizashi sword during the Muromachi period
choose a full tang blade, which all of our authentic(1568-1603). The Wakizashi was about 18" long
samurai swords feature as well as all of our battleand only allowed to be carried by a samurai.
ready swords. The term "full tang" means thatCarrying both the katana and the Wakizashi was
the blade and the part of the sword under thepopular for the next few hundred years.
Tsuka (handle) is one long piece of steel. If youThe smallest samurai sword would be the tanto
get a sword that is not full tang then you'resword or dagger. Originally tanto swords were 12"
basically buying it to hang on the wall and nothingin length or less but it's not out of the ordinary to
more.come across a Tanto that is 15" long.
The next thing to consider when choosing aSamurai sword collecting is a very popular past
sword is the type of steel that the blade is madetime for many Americans. Something that is
of. There are basically 3 types of steel, 420 J2becoming even more popular is martial arts that
(Stainless steel), High Carbon, and Folded steel. Ifmake use of samurai sword for fighting and
you are looking for a battle ready sword you'llcutting exercises. The most popular and
want to stay away from the 420 J2 Stainless.affordable authentic samurai swords are the Paul
High carbon steel is very high quality steel;Chen Swords. You can find a decent Paul Chen
however folded steel is the strongest. Actually it'sPractical Katana Sword for under $200. However
not that the folded steel is a different type offor less than a hundred more you can get
steel, but how the blade is forged.yourself a Paul Chen Practical Plus Katana. If
A folded steel blade is typically made from highyou're looking for something a little more pricy the
carbon steel. The difference is that a folded steelPaul Chen Bushido Katana or the Orchid Katana
blade is just like it says; the steel is folded overwill last a lifetime and can take quite a beating.
and over again until the smith believes that it isThe Orchid and Bushido also come in a Wakizashi
adequate.and Tanto.
Some people say that a good high carbon steelIn conclusion, the most important thing when
blade can be just as strong as a folded steelbuying your sword is that you know what kind of
blade. The smiths for the Thaitsuki Nihontoblade you're getting. If you want a functional
Swords claim to have mastered a form ofsword be sure that you're not getting one that's
forging high carbon steel blades that is just asonly made to hang on the wall. If it's not clearly
strong if not stronger than many of the foldedstated on the page for the sword, don't hesitate
steel blades.to contact the store to ask any questions you
When choosing a sword samurai sword there aremight have.